CPA Bulletin

30 CPA Bulletin > November 2023 www.cpa.uk.net ESTA: 1 ESTA Mobile cranemanufacturers and ESTA are together exploring how to implement the controversial new EuropeanMachinery Regulations that have now passed all political hurdles and are due to come into force by 2027. The key difficulty is the regulations’ stipulation that all mobile machinery such as mobile cranes and access platforms should - ‘where relevant’ - be designed to prevent contact with overhead power lines or, where the risk cannot be avoided, designed to ensure that all hazards ‘of an electrical nature’ are prevented. The manufacturers have repeatedly pointed out that building such safeguards into the design and manufacture of the equipment is technically impossible, but despite their concerns the regulations have been published largely unchanged. The European Commission will itself produce guidance on how the regulations should be interpreted but in the meantime crane users and manufacturers are discussing amendments to EN13000 that will take account of the new regulations (EN13000 is the European standard applicable to mobile cranes and specifies in detail the basic requirements of the machinery directive). The discussions are taking place both through European Standards Committee CEN/TC 147 WG 11 and the ICSA - the International Crane Stakeholders Assembly - to which both ESTA and the European manufacturers organisation FEM belong and which has members in the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan. Klaus Meissner, ESTA’s recently appointed crane expert, said: “Quite simply, there is no technical solution applicable to mobile cranes, so in the standard for mobile cranes the manufacturers will have to include words about the danger of contact with power lines and the appropriate health and safety measures to be taken on site. “In short, we will have to look at how to import site management safety practices into the mobile crane standard so that it is compliant with the regulations.” The new European Machinery Regulations will update the existing Machinery Directive from 2006. Crane manufacturers and ESTA discuss how to make new European machinery regulations work in practice Annemie Van de Velde fromSarens is the second woman crane operator to achieve certification with ECOL - ESTA’s European Crane Operators Licence. Growing up with a father who was a truck driver, she developed an early fascination with cranes and machinery. In 2003, she landed her first job at a crane company, kickstarting her career in what remains a predominantly male industry. She joined Sarens at their depot in Ghent in April this year and, with two decades of experience under her belt, decided to pursue the ECOL certification as she felt the Europe-wide qualification would not only enhance her skills but also help minimise any boundaries to her career. Today, Van de Velde operates various telescopic mobile cranes ranging from 35 to 150 tons. Ton Klijn, ESTA Director and chair of the ECOL supervisory board, added: “We are delighted to welcome Annemie to the ECOL family and hope that she and others will persuade many more women to join our industry where they will be welcomed and valued - and be able to pursue a satisfying career.” ECOL welcomes second woman licence holder